Paraben Free Steamed Asparagus with Olive Oil & Lemon
Fresh asparagus steamed to bright, snappy perfection and finished with a drizzle of good olive oil and a squeeze of lemon — this is the kind of side dish that makes a simple weeknight dinner feel a little special. Every ingredient here is completely whole and unprocessed, which matters when you're being careful about synthetic preservatives and additives that sneak into packaged sauces and seasoning blends. There's nothing hidden in this recipe: just crisp spears, fruity extra-virgin olive oil, real lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt. The steaming method keeps the asparagus vivid green and tender without waterlogging it, and the whole thing comes together in under ten minutes. A little lemon zest scattered over the top at the end adds a fragrant, citrusy punch that really elevates the dish. It's clean, it's bright, and it pairs beautifully with just about anything on the plate.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lb fresh asparagus, tough ends snapped off
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pour about 1 inch of water into a large skillet or wide saucepan and set a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- 2
Arrange the asparagus in the steamer basket in a single layer. Cover and steam until the spears are bright green and just tender when pierced at the thickest point with a paring knife, 4–6 minutes for medium spears or 6–7 minutes for thick spears.
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